Custer County School District
School Board Meeting
by Laura Vass
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. First grade teacher Jasen
Alvarado and some of his students lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
All Board members were present. After roll call, guests in attendance were introduced.
Middle School (MS) Girls’ Basketball players were recognized individually with Championship Certificates. The Teams took the A and B division championships this year. MS coaches are Coach Jennifer Kriegh and Keely Smith.
There was no public comment.
School Board President Jake Shy made vague comments about rumors in the school and assured attendees that the school is up to date on everything, and personnel issues are not discussed at public meetings.
Minutes were approved with a note that the end time of executive session is not recorded.
MS Girls Basketball coach Jennifer Kriegh said we have had an amazing year, amazing coaches and amazing admin. She would like the MS coaches to get more gym time. After school both gyms are occupied by high school programs and the middle schooler’s need more time allotted to them. She requested that admin work with the AD on this.
Reports and Discussion
Curriculum Update – Joe Vergilio reported on student progress and areas of improvement. Elementary had significant growth. MS arts and sciences had growth, but students remain behind in math. High school students had growth in reading, algebra, and geometry with weaknesses in language arts (grammar, punctuation, etc.)
Second grade teacher Kim Goodfellow presented on the Wonders reading program curriculum purchased last year for K-5 grade. Grammar, spelling, vocabulary and writing assignments coordinate with the reading assignments. They have to work in groups, discuss with their peers, create and answer questions. She said the structure stays the same and the students know what to expect. Board President Jake Shy and a few parents in the
audience remarked that the kids are excited and engaged with reading and like the curriculum.
Facilities update – Mike McFalls reported that the daycare portable unit is partially set up. The school is waiting on plumbing and electricity to be hooked up.
The district is getting bids for projects being considered for the remainder of bond money- 400K. A main priority is renovating the kitchen. They are still waiting on bids. McFalls said once those come in all the bid and projects will go to the Bond Oversight Committee which will make recommendations about priorities and bids.
Another project is safety and security of the admin building. (problems with the card reader at the entry.) The company hired has not fulfilled its obligation and district is working with a new company to fix the problems.
In 2019, through the Bond Improvements, the school had
solar panels and geothermal heating system put in. There has been a bit of a problem (recently) with the schools heating system. Most of the issues seemed to be communications between the systems. They have contacted Trane and are in the process of getting that taken care of. Also, one of sensors went out in a classroom.
Someone asked for the deadline on the Bond monies being spent. The projects have to be determined/started by summer 2023.
Reports
District/School Accountability (SAC/DAC) –
Kids Council hosted the family night for grade school. Jennifer Kriegh said they did a good job. Seventy families attended. The next one is May 5th. She said two new teachers come in monthly to do a review. The Band/Choir and Spanish teachers came in last month. The Spanish teacher said the books are a higher level than beginner. Band teacher Maddy is building a new program and got suggestions to help get the student numbers/interest up.
The committee is also reviewing some of the policy handbook which will go back to the board and admin.
District Advisory Council report: Preschool Roundup is planned for Friday April 8th. They have partnered with Starpoint, Solvista,
BOCES, etc. to set up screenings for preschool enrollment.
Currently, CCP (preschool) slots criteria require three criteria. They are wanting to explore adding an additional criteria item which might help create more
eligibility.
SCBOCES: Board member Jordan Benson said the new director seems to be doing the job. Concerning Terre Davis’ inquiry, he said that SCBOCES was probably going to sweep it under the rug. (Reporter’s Note: There was an item of concern sent by past SCBOCES member, Terre Davis, to SCBOCES concerning the old director signing off with one other SCBOCES person on receiving upon resignation, more days of pay than possible to accrue for vacation and personal days unused. The amount was approximately $23,000. Terre gathered detailed information and sent requests to SCBOSES last month (March) as a concerned citizen. She shared those documents and letter(s) with the current CCSD-1 school board. See that documentation here. She also wrote a letter to CCSD-1 in February, concerning the issue. See here.
Under Legislative Report: Board member Peggi Collins said that HB 22-1101 is in the legislature. (That bill “expands a program, currently scheduled to repeal on July 1, 2023, that allows a public employees’ retirement association (PERA) service retirees to work full-time without any reduction in the service retirees’ retirement benefits for a rural school district that has a critical shortage of qualified individuals with specific experience, skills, or qualifications that the service retiree has.” That bill was signed by the Governor on March 18th. A connected bill, HB 22-1057 also passed.) There is a Bill to remove 10-, 11- and 12-year- olds from being prosecuted or detained by the courts. The parents bill of rights bill (voted down), and a bill proposing additional money for Special Education with adjustments for inflation.
There is also a bill on Universal Preschool. Preschool for All (paid for using the marijuana sales tax) is about to sunset. Last year CCSD-1 got $139K. So far, money that has gone into the general fund. Under the bill, future funds would have to be allocated specifically.
Report on Excellence in Ed: a celebratory lunch for Staff planned. The annual fundraiser dinner will be in the fall instead of
the spring.
Redistricting: The Board’s lawyer says they cannot match up Board districts to the County districts but they can pursue a ballot measure to have all five seats be “at large” (this failed a few years back.) There will be a special meeting scheduled to discuss this further.
Emergency Leave Policy/ Maternity Leave: The Board considered a policy where teachers and staff would not be docked a scheduled personal day that was approved if that day becomes a snow day issued w/o remote learning.
Superintendent Search: McFalls has talked to eleven different organizations local, Colorado and national – 21 BOCES and eight other school districts were contacted. McFalls said there have been twenty inquiries, one application returned so far.
Mike said for the search, there are three committees; the elected Board, a school committee and a community committee which all work on determining a new superintendent. The deadline for submission of application is March 28th. The Board can
extend the date if their applicant pool is not as deep as desired.
Budget: The budget template is in process. It’s also too early to look at Insurance. There will be budget meetings later. The proposed Budget is not due until June.
The Board voted to accept the District Financial Report.
Actions
Resignations and New Hires: The board voted to vote on new hires individually. They voted to accept/hire school secretary/ office and attendance: Donna Newell, Substitutes–Stacy King, Peyton Cree and Bus Driver Lenny Hawks. For some reason, they did not have a majority vote for substitute applicant James Gilbert.
School Calendar 2022-23 options were discussed. Board member Newell Woodbury said option B is consistent with past calendars. Board member Tracy Broll said option A was more popular with teachers and staff. The vote 4-1 was in favor of Option A.
Approval of Policies: Approval of License MOU for license provider daycare provision, Sick Leave GBGG, and final reading of Staff ELB request were approved.
Administration Reports
Principal’s Report: Joe Vergilio said Teacher Conferences were well attended.
Student/Parent night had 70 families with good feedback. Miss Simpson’s second graders are making a book about jobs. Three boys got to “shadow” the principal for this.
Truancy: Colorado laws include a compulsory attendance law for school attendance to age 17.
The school has kids that do not come and parents that don’t bring kids. They have done attendance contracts. HDS can be involved but the agency gets overwhelmed. Officer James Barr has helped work with the system on this and Judge Hunter is willing to hold a truancy court which should be ready by May.
AD Report: Caden Parker said HS Track is underway with thirteen top twenty finishes competing against larger schools. HS baseball had 17 kids starting practice. Girls basketball finished 8 and 10. Boys finished 10 and 8. MS girls school basketball finished A & B league champions. HS wrestling sent two to state. MS wrestling sent three to State. MS baseball starts practice after spring break.
Superintendent’s Report – Mike McFalls
Preschool/Daycare is open and does have openings through the end of school. It is operating at the Church of Christ building. The cost for the public, set higher than local providers in an effort not to compete, seems too high for some of the community. The plan is to revisit the rate after talking with the two local licensed daycares. The school is still getting bids for a maintenance truck replacement.
Closing
Future items: Jake Shy would like a meeting with Booster Club, School Board, AD, and Coaches to get on the same page.
Public Comments: James Gilbert asks the Board to reveal what in his qualifications was lacking that they denied his application to be hired for teacher substitute. Jake Shy said that public discussion on personnel issues is not lawful. Gilbert said, so you are not going to tell me why? Several Board members said no.
Adjournment followed. Next Meeting: April 12th, Workshop 2:30 p.m. – Admin. Conference Rm., Regular meeting 4:30 p.m. – Library. There will also be a special meeting TBA – March 30 and April 6, both have Superintendent search as an agenda item.
